No forks given: Bowl and Spoon delivers on healthy flavour

The iconic Devon House is slowly but surely becoming a Mecca for authentic flavour. And while there are many options to choose from, perched around the corner of the main entrance is a new hotspot that restores the way we see healthy to tasty proportions, all while catering to the modern lifestyle. So pull up a seat at the table; let’s dig in and savour what Bowl and Spoon has to offer.

According to the eatery’s manager, Lesley-Anne James, the goal was to specialise in soups. But somewhere along the way, that delightful dream progressed into providing even more scrumptious dishes to choose from.

“So we have the soups. Then we added the salads. Then we thought, ‘Okay, people are up and going about their busy day’, so we included smoothies. On that healthy trajectory, we brought natural juices into the mix as well,” she told Food.

Starring the show each and every day are the roasted pumpkin chicken soup, pepperpot soup, and red peas with beef soup. And yes, they are made fresh and are all available daily.

Next on the line-up – the classic Caesar, chopped Thai and cranberry kale salads - which are so guaranteed to please that they will satisfy your appetite from the beginning to the last bite.

If you’re a lover of the classic Caesar salad like myself and James, then you will enjoy every munching moment. The vegetable-to-protein ratio was phenomenal! The flavour, incredible. And that perfect crunch from the croutons was a welcome addition.

The team wasn’t playing around when it came to the tag line, ‘No forks given’. All the salads are served with, you guessed it, spoons.

“We wanted to only serve items that use a bowl and spoon, or some variation, after we came up with the name. The tag line ‘No forks given’ came from the name. And we play by the rules,” she added.

So, I opened up my world to a spoonful of goodness and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the concept worked. The secret is in the preparation and presentation of the dishes.

“We also have a little treat, which is an air-fried bite, served in the hot-and-ready form of mac and cheese balls or potato wedges,” she added.

Then it’s off to the exciting sips of the smoothies and natural juices.

“The coffee high-protein almond mocha is made with espresso, oat milk, protein powder, vanilla, banana and peanut butter. I love it,” James highlighted. Other smoothies range from the recharge mango strawberry to the slim ‘n trim veggie smoothie.

Then on the juice side of life, the watermelon mint is a refreshing game changer. So, too is the pineapple, ginger and cucumber flavour.

“Every week, there is a mystery meal on the menu. It varies; it could be a new soup or a new salad. This week, we have a BLT salad, which is bacon, lettuce and tomato with feta cheese and corn. It’s so good,” James enthused.

Since officially opening a month ago, business, James said, has been really good. She is positively delighted that so many Jamaicans gravitate towards soups.

The salads are equally doing well, with foodies looking into striking a healthy balance in the [taste] department. “I’m happy that people are enjoying it. We take the comments [made] and constructive criticism so that we can improve on the quality and taste,” she added.

Noting that consistency is one of the main obstacles for the food industry, James hopes that Bowl and Spoon can remain steadfast in it’s savoury element, giving the same good vibe on the first visit leading up to the sixth visit.

The beauty of the location is the cool fact that it is central to New Kingston, Barbican and Liguanea. If you’re not in that area, no worries, Bowl and Spoon is available for delivery on three food applications, 7Krave, Quick Cart, and Order.

“Bowl and Spoon is perfectly filling for lunch or dinner time. You know when you’re full and happy? That’s the feeling you will have once you visit. You can start off with soup, then have a salad and juice,” she said.

The hope, going forward, is to expand into catering or branch off into several locations.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com